When to replace?

[Guest guest]

Hi there everyone, Im new to this board. I am 38 and have OA in my hip

and I will need a THR in the near future. My question to everyone is,

how do you know you are ready to have a replacement? Or is it a case

of 'if you have to ask, then you are not ready'. I currently use a

cane and can walk with only minimal pain. My main problem is that I

cant bend my hip past 110 degrees, so sitting is challenging, but when

I return to standing position my hip locks up and I am unable to

straighten it. Usually only for a few minutes, but sometimes up to 10-

15 mins. I guess I can put up with it for now, so am I better to wait

until I am begging for the THR? Or is just a desire for a better

quality of life enough, especially considering I have 3 small children

whom I would dearly love to walk to the park with.

Any opinions appreciated. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

I think the reason why it is so " personal " is that everyone is willing

to put up with different degrees of restrictions. Almost everyone who

has the surgery regrets waiting too long -- the onset of pain is

gradual and one tends to forget how circumscribed one's life is getting.

In your situation, I would schedule surgery because being 38 and

walking with a cane and not being able to partake of normal activities

of life when there is an alternative that would give me back my life

-- but it's a personal decision.

The wonder of getting of bed the day after surgery and having NO PAIN

in the hip -- minor surgical discomfort but one knows that gets

fainter and fainter each day as one heals -- and pain meds are

wonderful LOL.

You should investigate hip resurfacing at your age -- or look for a

doctor who does a true anterior approach -- since no muscles are good,

there are no restrictions after surgery and significantly faster

recovery.

Why are you delaying -- perhaps by vocalizing it, you can reach a

decision more easily.

Begin forwarded message:

> From: sanzinoz <sanzinoz@...>

> Date: December 17, 2008 4:19:29 AM PST

> Joint Replacement

> Subject: When to replace?

> Reply-Joint Replacement

>

> Hi there everyone, Im new to this board. I am 38 and have OA in my hip

> and I will need a THR in the near future. My question to everyone is,

> how do you know you are ready to have a replacement? Or is it a case

> of 'if you have to ask, then you are not ready'. I currently use a

> cane and can walk with only minimal pain. My main problem is that I

> cant bend my hip past 110 degrees, so sitting is challenging, but when

> I return to standing position my hip locks up and I am unable to

> straighten it. Usually only for a few minutes, but sometimes up to 10-

> 15 mins. I guess I can put up with it for now, so am I better to wait

> until I am begging for the THR? Or is just a desire for a better

> quality of life enough, especially considering I have 3 small children

> whom I would dearly love to walk to the park with.

> Any opinions appreciated. Thanks.

>

>

>

>